Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
The duodenum is a critical contributor to the regulation of food intake [17] and glycemic control. [18] As the first part of the small intestine, the duodenum is the initial site of nutrient absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
The small intestine or small bowel is an organ in the gastrointestinal tract where most of the absorption of nutrients from food takes place. It lies between the stomach and large intestine, and receives bile and pancreatic juice through the pancreatic duct to aid in digestion. The small intestine is about 5.5 metres (18 feet) long and folds ...
In the small intestine, the larger part of digestion takes place and this is helped by the secretions of bile, pancreatic juice and intestinal juice. The intestinal walls are lined with villi, and their epithelial cells are covered with numerous microvilli to improve the absorption of nutrients by increasing the surface area of the intestine ...
This can cause vitamin deficiencies due to the improper absorption of nutrients in the small intestine. The small intestine can also be obstructed by a volvulus, a loop of intestine that becomes twisted enclosing its attached mesentery. This can cause mesenteric ischemia if severe enough. A common disorder of the bowel is diverticulitis.
Once in the stomach further mechanical churning takes place mixing the food with secreted gastric acid. Digestive gastric enzymes take part in some of the chemical process needed for absorption. Most of the enzymatic activity, and hence absorption takes place in the duodenum. [2] [3]
In this way, the lining of the intestine is constantly renewed while the number of cells making up the epithelial layer remains constant. [5] In the small intestine, the mucosal layer is specially adapted to provide a large surface area in order to maximize the absorption of nutrients.
The small intestine tract: This is where absorption takes place. [2] [3] [4] The brush borders of the intestinal lining are the site of terminal carbohydrate digestions. The microvilli that constitute the brush border have enzymes for this final part of digestion anchored into their apical plasma membrane as integral membrane proteins.
Dietary fructose intolerance occurs when there is a deficiency in the amount of fructose carrier.; Lactose intolerance is the most common problem of carbohydrate digestion and occurs when the human body doesn't produce a sufficient amount of lactase enzyme to break down the sugar lactose found in dairy.